Khary Frazier

“Detroit is more than a city—it’s a movement, a rhythm, a story waiting to be told.” In a media landscape where legacy outlets are losing their grip and independent voices are rising, Detroit is Different brings you the raw, unfiltered stories that shape the culture and politics of the city. This episode features journalist Sam Robinson, a writer who doesn’t just report on Detroit—he lives it. From covering state politics in Lansing to exposing community challenges in Cass Corridor, Sam brings a fresh and fearless perspective on what’s really happening in the D. We talk about the shifting landscape of independent media, the power of storytelling, and why voices from the margins deserve the mic. Get ready for a deep dive into the intersections of journalism, activism, and Detroit’s ever-evolving cultural heartbeat. Tune in for a conversation that’s insightful, engaging, and unapologetically Detroit.

“If You Don’t Own Land, You Don’t Own Power.” Ownership is the key to generational wealth, but in Detroit, that power is constantly under attack. From over-assessed property taxes to deed fraud and predatory real estate schemes, Black Detroiters are losing land—and with it, the foundation of community stability and wealth-building. In this powerful discussion, Anthony Adams, a legal and political mind with deep experience in city government, breaks down the policies, politics, and legal maneuvers that determine who truly owns Detroit. From the impact of the Land Bank and Community Benefits Agreements to the controversial shifts in Detroit’s tax structure, Adams lays out the real game being played with our neighborhoods. Host Khary Frazier challenges Adams to make sense of how we fight back—whether through land trusts, cooperative economics, or radical restructuring of city policies. This conversation is a must-listen for anyone who cares about Detroit’s future and their own financial empowerment. Don’t get caught on the wrong side of the deal—tune in and learn how to protect what’s yours.

“I believe in my heart and in my core, it’s all because I had to get me together. So this right here, this is what I am on the inside. What you see in here, what you feel when you walk in—this is what I feel on the inside.” In this deeply personal and inspiring episode of Detroit is Different, we sit down with Mikiah Glynn, the visionary owner of Brix Wine, to explore the journey that led her to create one of Detroit’s most inviting and community-centered wine spaces. A third-generation Detroiter with roots stretching back to Alabama and Tennessee, Mikiah grew up in a household of 13 siblings, surrounded by music, community, and entrepreneurship. Watching her mother run a successful daycare business while cooking unforgettable meals for the family, she learned early on that building something of your own requires passion, resilience, and love. Her introduction to wine at age 21 sparked a curiosity that grew into a full-fledged passion, leading her to launch Brix, a place where wine, culture, and community come together. But success didn’t come without setbacks—when the original Brix location closed, it forced Mikiah into a period of deep reflection, healing, and personal growth. Through prayer, meditation, and grief work following the loss of her mother, she emerged stronger, ready to bring Brix 2.0 to life with a renewed vision. Now, she’s not just running a wine bar—she’s building a movement, creating a space where Detroiters can gather, connect, and celebrate their culture over a glass of thoughtfully curated wine. With plans to add a nonprofit component featuring a community garden and farm-to-table programming, Mikiah is proving that wine is more than just a drink—it’s a story, a connection, a legacy. Tune in to hear her candid reflections on entrepreneurship, spirituality, and the power of reinvention, and discover why Brix is more than a business—it’s a love letter to Detroit.

“My grandmother died when I was four months old. From the stories I got, she just had the gift of gab. One, she was beautiful. Two, she was also a hairstylist.” The world of hair artistry, entrepreneurship, and cultural storytelling with Kristina the Glam Tech, a Detroit-born stylist and artist whose journey is nothing short of inspiring. From braiding hair in her basement as a teen to making waves in the entertainment industry in Los Angeles, Kristina’s passion for hair has transformed into a thriving career. Raised by a lineage of strong women—including her grandmother, a self-made hairstylist and property owner, and her mother, the first in the family to attend college—Kristina was immersed in the entrepreneurial spirit of Detroit. Her career took off with Hair Wars, where she showcased elaborate, gravity-defying designs, and later with “My Hair, My Story, My Glory” at the Charles H. Wright Museum, an event celebrating the artistry and history of Black hair. Now in LA, she is shifting her focus to fine art, using hair as a medium to tell powerful stories, proving that creativity knows no bounds. With raw honesty, humor, and determination, Kristina shares her experiences navigating both the beauty industry and the art world, offering insights into what it takes to turn passion into purpose while staying true to her Detroit roots. Tune in for an engaging conversation filled with laughter, real talk, and a masterclass in Black creativity and resilience.

Gale Henderson’s story is one of resilience, reinvention, and deep-rooted community values. A third-generation Detroiter with family ties to Alabama, she grew up on the west side of the city, where her family owned multiple homes and businesses, fostering a strong sense of connection and support. Her journey took her from journalism to corporate communications in the automotive industry, where she learned firsthand the challenges of being a young Black woman in a male-dominated field. “If you incorporate right, you’re going to go in there and you’re going to be undervalued for sure,” she reflects, emphasizing the importance of mentorship and support in navigating corporate spaces. When she lost her job, she took a bold step into software development through a coding bootcamp, ultimately launching her own digital communications firm. Now, she’s a leader in Detroit’s tech scene, advocating for diversity and teaching coding to youth. Through it all, her foundation has remained unwavering: “I am my sister’s keeper. This is who’s supposed to have you in a hard time when you need to come home and reset your life.” Gale’s journey is a testament to the power of adaptability, community, and self-determination.

Dr. Velonda Anderson’s journey from military service to health-focused entrepreneurship is a testament to resilience, purpose, and community impact. Originally from Washington D.C., she lived in cities like Oakland and Atlanta before making Detroit her home in the 1980s. With a background in nursing, data processing, and personal training, she pursued a doctorate in nutrition, eventually founding Sweet Potato Delights, a company specializing in vegan, sweet potato-based baked goods. “I think the biggest thing is about having the conversation with folks,” she says, highlighting the importance of community dialogue in her work. A firm believer in financial literacy, she stresses, “You have to get friendly with your financials,” crediting programs like the Goldman Sachs Black in Business cohort for sharpening her business acumen. Through partnerships with local organizations like the Detroit Black Community Food Sovereignty Network, she not only promotes food access but also mentors aspiring entrepreneurs, ensuring that knowledge and opportunity are passed forward. “No matter what I’ve learned, it’s not for me, it’s for me to move it back to the community,” she affirms. Dr. Anderson’s work embodies the intersection of wellness, economic empowerment, and cultural preservation, making her a vital force in Detroit’s food and health movement.

The legacy and wisdom of Detroit’s own Helen Moore, a trailblazer in community organizing and education advocacy, as she shares an inspiring journey spanning nearly nine decades. From surviving the racial tensions of 1940s Detroit to her pivotal role in shaping the city’s educational landscape, Moore reflects on her family’s migration story, Detroit’s history of rebellion, and her relentless fight to empower Black children through equitable education. Listen as she weaves stories of courage, strategy, and collective action—taking on systemic racism, advocating for African-centered education, and mobilizing parents and communities to keep the vote and protect Detroit’s schools. This episode is a masterclass in resistance, resilience, and the power of a united community to create change.

Journey into the heart of Detroit’s vibrant culture as we welcome Ber-Henda Williams to the Detroit is Different podcast. In this powerful and introspective conversation, Ber-Henda reflects on her journey as an educator, poet, and community leader rooted in the legacies of Detroit’s Black history. From the resilience of her family’s migration story to her father’s dynamic contributions as a Southfield volunteer, Ber-Henda weaves tales of artistry, hope, and transformation. A bilingual poet and Spanish educator, Ber-Henda shares how embracing the Espanol has expanded her world, built bridges across cultures, and added a unique layer to her artistry and community work. Whether performing bilingual spoken word or teaching poetry in schools where she speaks Spanish from the time she enters until she leaves, Ber-Henda’s journey highlights the power of language to create connections and deepen understanding. Together, we explore themes of healing through community, the role of creativity in navigating life’s transitions, and the grounding power of poetry as a tool for self-expression and connection. This episode is a celebration of heritage, love, and the unwavering strength of Detroit’s soul.